20+ *Best* Christmas Sensory Play Ideas
The holiday season is a great time for Christmas sensory play that’s fun, easy, and engaging for kids. These Christmas sensory activities are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, using simple materials to encourage hands-on learning and exploration. Each sensory play idea is quick to set up, budget-friendly, and ideal for holiday fun at home, in the classroom, or at daycare.
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From twinkling lights to sparkly textures and festive scents, these activities are designed to keep little hands busy and little imaginations glowing. Whether you’re looking for a quick DIY project or a fun way to celebrate the season at home or in the classroom, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here!
You will also want to see this cute DIY Pipe Cleaner Icicles (Easy Winter Craft) and 19+ Christmas Card Crafts for Kids to Make This Holiday Season!
🌟Don’t Leave Before You Check Out These Fun Ideas!🌟
DIY Christmas Lights Sensory Tray
Create a fun and easy Christmas sensory tray with festive dyed rice and turn it into a real Christmas tree Ornament.
Hot Cocoa Sensory Bin (Easy Winter Toddler Idea!)
Nothing says Christmas like warm cocoa! Take that concept and turn it into a fun and cute sensory bin idea!
Christmas Tree Sensory Bottle by The Mindful Toddler
Kids love Christmas trees, and what could be more fun than a Christmas tree you can carry around? This sensory Christmas tree in a bottle is guaranteed to capture their attention.
Christmas Gnomes Imaginative Play by Picklebums
These DIY Christmas gnomes are the best way to repurpose a real tree. They are super cute, offer lots of textures to touch, and smell just like Christmas.
Pine Tree Farm Holiday Sensory Play Activity by Barley & Birch
This small world play scene is set up to look like a Christmas tree farm. The “trees” are made from real pine cones, giving it a natural touch.
Peppermint Sensory Salt Writing Tray by Bilingual Beginnings
Salt writing is a great way for toddlers to practice writing without any extra pressure. Plus this tray is loaded with Christmas colors and smells for tons of sensory benefit.
Christmas Lights Scoop and Pour Activity by Growing Hands-On Kids
Grab a few supplies that are probably already laying around the house for this fantastic sensory activity. Kids will love scooping and dumping sparkly pom poms into the Christmas light shapes.
Christmas Tree Sensory Bin by Sugar, Spice and Glitter
Collect those extra Christmas decorations that just didn’t make it out this year, and set up a sensory bin for kids. They will love the different colors and textures, and the ability to just play with the decorations freely.
Christmas Playdough Mats by Kids Activity Zone
Playdough is the ultimate sensory plaything, and these printable mats are a perfect complement. Kids use the playdough to complete the pictures while engaging in sensory play and developing hand and finger muscles.
Christmas Slime Recipe by Kids Activities
Christmas slime is such a great way to get in the spirit of the season. It’s simple to make, and so much fun to play with.
Christmas Sensory Bottle by The Best Ideas for Kids
Sensory bottles and snow globes are the perfect combination. Plus, it’s easy to fill them with whatever seasonal items are already available around the house.
Hot Chocolate Sensory Bin by Taming Little Monsters
This sensory bin uses dried chickpeas as the base, which feel wonderful for little hands to sift and scoop. With the included materials, kids can pretend to whip up cups of hot chocolate.
Christmas Sensory Bin by And Next Comes L
Here’s a fun, simple Christmas sensory play idea that kids will love. The fluffy cotton “snow” and foam shapes offer loads of options for sensory play, not to mention the jingle bells.
Gingerbread Cloud Dough Recipe by Messy Little Monster
Cloud dough is a quick, simple recipe for sensory fun. Adding in gingerbread spices can give it a major sensory boost, as well.
Cinnamon Rice Sensory Bin by Little Bins for Little Hands
Cinnamon rice is a super simple sensory play option that can be made ahead of time. Kids love the scent and feel, and you can add in other playthings such as gingerbread toys to add to the fun.
Christmas Sensory Bottles by Fireflies & Mud Pies
Sensory bottles are a parent’s best friend, since they can be made once and played with again and again. Here are 3 different options for some simple Christmas sensory play.
Cranberry Sensory Bin Activity by Kidz Craft Corner
Combine water play with loads of natural scents with this amazing sensory bin. Kids can explore real cranberries, orange slices, and rosemary sprigs through touch, smell, color, and even taste.
Pattern Block Christmas Tree Sensory Bag by STEAMsational
Pattern blocks are a great way for kids to practice manipulating small objects and learn about shapes. But adding them to a sensory bag offers even more sensory input without the mess.
Fizzy Baking Soda Christmas Tree Experiment by Living Life & Learning
This easy sensory experiment is quick to set up and full of fizzing excitement for kids. Creating a fizzy Christmas tree gives them a playful way to explore basic chemistry concepts.
Christmas Light Sensory Play by Finding Myself Young
Christmas lights aren’t usually considered a plaything for kids, but get ready for that to change. With a couple simple steps, parents can make a baby-safe Christmas lights experience like none other.
Jingle Bell Sensory Bin by Crafty Kids Play
This is another super simple bin that offers a surprising depth of sensory play options. Brown paper crinkles are a perfect base, because the brightly-colored pom poms and jingle bells really stand out.
Grinch Heart Sensory Bag by Rainy Day Mum
Sensory bags let kids squish and explore objects without any mess. This Grinch heart version is easy to make with just a few simple supplies.
These Christmas sensory play ideas are perfect for adding fun and learning to the holiday season. Great for toddlers and preschoolers, each Christmas sensory activity encourages hands-on play, exploration, and festive excitement. Whether you try one or a few, these holiday sensory play ideas are a simple way to keep kids engaged and entertained all season long.
